Can someone tell me about this?

[Sword-In-Hand]

About Mithraism? (help me with spelling here) I'm working on a new book about witnessing and I had the idea for one of my character's to bring up Mithraism as something that trys to prove Jesus was a fraud. I know very little on the subject, so I need some help.

If anyone can answer some or all of these questions, I'll rep ya and give you thanks on the inside of the book.:)

When did it start? Who started it? What was the general belief? Who fought against it/disproved it and how did they do so? Any other general knowlege would be much appreciated.

[trinityisunity]

Go to Questions by non-christians, in I think outreach section. There is a post there and some kid seems to know a little about it.

[Robinsegg]

there's a good wikipedia article on Mithras. I'll try to post the link, but I seem to be having trouble doing that right now. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mithras

[BigNorsk]

This (http://www.crystalinks.com/mithraism.html) a very good explanation giving background, figures and so on.

Marv

[arunma]

Apparently, Mithras is a false god whose mysteries were very similar to the Christian eucharist. Here's some information on him:
For the apostles, in the memoirs composed by them, which are called Gospels, have thus delivered unto us what was enjoined upon them; that Jesus took bread, and when He had given thanks, said, "This do ye in remembrance of Me, (Luk_22:19) this is My body;" and that, after the same manner, having taken the cup and given thanks, He said, "This is My blood;" and gave it to them alone. Which the wicked devils have imitated in the mysteries of Mithras, commanding the same thing to be done. For, that bread and a cup of water are placed with certain incantations in the mystic rites of one who is being initiated, you either know or can learn. (St. Justin Martyr, First Apology, Chapter 66)
Elsewhere, Saint Justin Martyr says that Mithraism and other false religions were most likely derived from the Old Testament. The same prophecies that were fulfilled in Christ were also forged in pagan religions such as Mithraism.

[Unnamed Servant]

a little extra about it:
- it was an ancient Persian religion
- it is associated with the Sun god as well as with a bull
- the idea was that if you could enter into oneness with the bull then you could achieve immortality
- the way you did it was through a baptismal ceremony; they would put the person under a grate, place a bull on top and slit the bulls throat so that you would be baptized in the blood of the bull.
- This is a mystical experience.